Wrap-around paperboard carrier



INVENTOIL ARTHUR dif-Welss BY .M

TMORNEYS July 13, 1965 A. J. wElss WRAP-AROUND PAPERBOARD CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 14. 1960 c P s n.5 Y 0 E m m w 2O O 5 O s A K .r m l f/ wm j m w QV, 8 M c o P m s 2 3 ww /f 7 f s ls a e K m m 2s n g4 3 m Bf 2 4 K ,4 m 5 4 5I 6 w.. @Q47 zr 1 e w a am 9 2 qd. 5 SQ U2/1mm 2f. 2 a G L a Q 2 3 f, n. w 5m I To 5 a. 4l B4 9 4 m a5 4 sa f 2 g 2 o a July 13, 1965 Filed Dec. 14. 1960 A. J. WEISS WRAP-AROUND PAPERBOARD CARRIER 'es C @s 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Aan-wiz J. wm ss ATTORNEYS July 13, 1965 A. J. wElss WRAP-AROUND PAPERBOARD CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 14. 1960 s S Y E Mm .M me WW. IJ 2 u H l A Y- B ,w 8W n J,

o o@ m .e ,7 sa 8)? o@ m m1 1 8 m m 7 4Q o a @e w a e 6 United States Patent 3,i94,476 WRAP-ARQUND PAEBERBARD CAREER Arthur 5. Weiss, Bergendeld, NJ., assignor to Continentai Can Company, line., New York, NX., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. ld, 1966, Ser. No. '75,825 i3 tiaiins. (Cl. 229-4@ This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in carriers for art-icles such as cans and the like, and more particularly relates to a carrier of the wrap-around type, wherein articles are positioned with the articles being disposed in two rows and the carrier is provided with suitable spacing means for maintaining articles in adjacent rows in iiXe-cl positions within the carrier.

At the present time, wrap-around paperboard carriers are widely used for packaging articles, such as cans of milk, beer cans and the like, into convenient packages which may be readily transported. Normally, the articles are disposed in two rows within the carrier, and are tightly engaged by the carrier. However, when the articles have projections, such as vthe conventional seam between a can end and a can body, when the package is handled, the projections have a tendency to ride one upon the other, with the result that the containers are no longer tightly packaged within the carrier. Furthermore, this offset arrangement results in a lopsided package which cannot be properly stacked, as is desired in many instances.

The present invention proposes to solve the problem mentioned above by providing the carrier with simple spacers, which may be struck from the carrier, the spacers being intended to be positioned between the containers of the two rows of containers and serve to both space apart intermediate portions of the containers, and to provide a simple interlock with the projections on the containers to prevent the shifting of containers relative to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel carrier for cans and the like, which carrier is of the wraparound paperboard type, the carrier including inner and outer closure panels which have latching means in the form of latching members on the outer closure and latching member receiving openings in the inner closure, and the inner closure having struck therefrom in the vicinity of the openings therein spacers which are hingedly connected to the inner closure along the longitudinal center line of the carrier and project up into the carrier for positioning between rows of articles disposed within the carrier to separate the articles and maintain the relative positions of the articles within the carrier.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel carrier for containers wherein the carrier is of the wraparound paperboard type, and the carrier has struck from panels thereof opposing article engaging tabs, which tabs are received within recessed bottoms of articles to form interlocks with the articles and to prevent movement of the articles out of the open ends of the carrier.

With the above, and other objects in View that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the followingy detailed description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

ln the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a iirst form of carrier in accordance with the invention, and shows the carrier filled with cans.

FGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIGURE l, and shows the specilic relationship of the cans with respect to each other and the carrier.

ICC

FGURE 3 is a bot-tom view of the carrier of FIGURE l, and shows the general details of the bottom construction thereof.

FGURE 4 is a plan View on a reduced scale of the blank from which the carrier is formed.

FlIGURi-E 5 is a vert-ical sectional view7 taken along the line 5 5 or" FEGURE l, and shows the general crosssection of the carrier and the relationship of the carrier with respect to cans disposed therein, the cans being shown in elevation with portions thereof being broken away.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of the underside of the top panel of the carrier, and shows the specic details of the spacers depending therefrom.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of the lower inner part of the carrier, and shows the specific details of the latching means thereof and a lower spacer.

FlGURl-E 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of carrier, and shows the general details thereof, including the relationship of cans disposed therein.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged inverted perspective view of rthe carrier of FGURE 8, and shows the specic details of the bottom construction thereof.

FIGURE it) is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken through the carrier of FIGURE 8, and shows the relationship of .the cans disposed therein with respect to the carrier, the cans being shown in elevation with lower portions thereof being broken away.

FIGURE ll is a plan view of the blank from which the carrier of FiGURE 8 is formed.

FIGURE l2 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom view of the carrier, and shows further the specific details of the latching means for closing the bottom of the carrier.

FGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the spacer which depends from the top wall of the carrier.

A rst form of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES l through 7, inclusive, and the carrier thereof is generally referred to by the numeral l5. The carrier 15, as is best shown in FIGUR,l1 2, is particularly designed to hold six cans, the cans being disposed in two rows of three cans each. The invention, however, is not so limited, in that the number of cans may be increased or decreased, the only requirement of the invention as far as cans are concerned being that the cans be disposed in two rows. It is also to be understood that the invention will function with other articles, although it is particularly adapted to cans.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 4 in particular, wherein there is illustrated the blank from which the carrier l5 is formed, the blank being generally referred to by the numeral le. The blank lo is formed from an elongated sheet of paperboard, and is divided to provide a central top panel i7, a pair of side panels i8, an inner closure panel 19, andan outer closure panel 2i). The top panel i7 is separated from the side panels iti only by transverse fold lines 2l. Other transverse fold lines 2.2 separate the side panels 1S from the closure panels 19 and 2d. The fold lines 2l and 22 are interrupted at spaced intervals by generally C-shaped cuts 23 which are centered on the positions of the cans C Within the carrier i5. It is to be noted that the C-shaped cuts 23 terminate along the fold line 22 and are formed in the :side panels l. As a result, the C-shaped cuts 23 define extensions 2li on the top panel 17 and the closure panels 19 and 2d. In addition, the side panels 1d are provided with slits 25 which are relatively short and are disposed normal to the fold lines 212. The slits 25 terminate at one end in a respective one of the C-shaped cuts 23. The

purpose of the'individual slit 25 is to permit a slight outward expansion of its respective side panel when cans C are disposed within the carrier 15.

The closure panels 19 and 2@ are provided with latching means which includes a plurality of latching flaps 26 which project from the terminal edge of the closure panel 2u and are connected thereto along a fold line 27. Each latching-llap 26 has a catch 2S which is cut from the material of the closure panel 21B and which extends across and interrupts the fold line 27.

Each of the laztching flaps 26 also includes a latching tongue 29 which projects outwardly from its respective latching flap remote from the closure panel 2G. The tongues 29 are of lesser width than their respective latching liaps 26. The tongues 29 are connected to the ilaps 26 along fold lines 30. Each of the tongues 29 is provided with a relatively short slit 31 which opens inwardly from a side thereof adjacent to the respective fold line Btl and parallel to the fold line 30.

It is to be noted that the aps 26 correspond in number to the number of articles in a row within the carrier 15. lit is also to be noted that the flaps 2:6 are centered on the centers of the articles within the carrier 15.

The closure panel 19 has a fold line 32 which extends therealong, the lfold line 32 being d-isposed along the longitudinal center of the carrier 15. The fold line serves to connect a narrow portion 33 of the closure panel 19 to the remainder of the closure panel 19. The narrow portion 33 is provided with a plurality of openings 3d therein, there being one opening 34 for each of the catches 2S. Each of the openings 34 has a general configuration corresponding to the configuration of an inverted hat.

A plurality of generally T-shaped spacers 35 are struck from the main portion of t e closure panel 19 and are hingedly connected thereto along the fold `line 32. In use, the spacers 35 are inverted and each spacer 35 includes a stem portion 36 and a crossbar portieri 37. The upper edge of the crossbar portion 37 lies along the fold line 32 and a short cut line 38 extends along the fold line 32 in the central portion of each crossbar portion 37 to facilitate the hinging of the spacers S5.

The main portion of the closure panel 19 is provided with a pair of slits 41 for each of the spacers 35, the slits 41 being aligned with the edge of the crossbar 37 remote from the fold line 32 and projecting away from the spacer 35. When the spacer 35 is moved to an upstanding operative portion, a generally T-shaped opening 42 is defined, into which the tab 29 projects and from which the slits 41 extend. rlfhe opening d?. is best illustrated in FIGURE 7.

The closure panels 19 and 24B also have struck therefrom locking tabs 43. Each locking tab 43 is generally rectangular in outline, and is defined by a generally C- -shaped cut 44. The locking tab 43 is hingedly connected to its respective one of the closure panels 19, 2t! along a told line 45. The innermost end of each of the locking tabs 44 is arcuate, as at 46, the curvature of the arcuate end 46 being the same as that ot the inner surface of a projection P on each end of one of the cans C. In the case of a can, the projection P is dened by the seam between a can end and the can body, although this project-ion may be otherwise formed in articles other than cans. When the locking tabs t3 are struck from the closure panels 19, 20, they are received within the recessed bottoms of the cans C and lock the cans C against sliding movement out of the open ends of the carrier 15.

A pair Vof ears 47 are disposed along the longitudinal center line of the top panel 17 and are generally at the third points thereof. The ears lt7 are cut from the top panel 17 for the most part along generally C-shaped cut lines 1S having a constant radius of curvature. Each of the ears t7 is also hingedly connected to the top panel 17 along fold lines t9 which extend transversely of the top panel 17. l/Vhen it is desired to carry the package defined by the carrier and the cans C disposed therein,

ones thumb and foreinger are pressed against the ears 47, with the result that the ears 47 move down into the interior of the carrier 15 in the space dened by four cans C disposed in abutting relation. By suitably pressing ones fingers through the openings, the carrier 15 may be readily grasped for moving the package.

A plurality of pairs of spacers 50 are struck from the top panel 17. The spacers 50 are arranged in pairs with the spacers 54B of a pair being spaced on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the top panel 17. Each spacer Sil is delined by a generally U-shaped cut 51 which terminates along a respective transverse fold line 52 which extends longitudinally of the top panel 17 closely adjacent to and parallel to the longitudinal center line.

In the use of a carrier 15, six cans C are arranged, as is illustrated in FlGURE 2. The top panel 17 is lowered onto the six cans C with the spacers 5d being disposed in downwardly converging relation so as to pass between adjacent cans C in the two rows. The side panels 15B are then folded down alongside the cans C, after which the closure panel 19 is iirst swung beneath the cans C and then the closure panel 20 is swung into place, after which the catches 2S and the tongues 2) are passed through their respective ones of the openings 34 and the slits 41. When the closure panel 19 is swungyin place,vthe spacers 35 project up between adjacent cans C of the two rows, as is shown in FlGURE 2. Also, the locking tabs 43 are projected up into the bottoms of the endmost ones ot the cans C, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 so as to lock the cans C against outward movement through the open ends or" the carrier 15.

lt is to be noted that the tongues 29 project up through the openings i2 and through the slits 41 and partially overlie the inner surface of the inner closure panel 19. Also, it is to be noted that thc catches 25S extend through the openings S4 and portions thereof overlie the upper or inner surface of the inner closure panel 19. The catches 23 and the tongues 29 are positioned for engagement by the undersides of the cans C. In this manner, the cans C prevent the accidental disengagement of the catches 23 and the tongues 29.

The width ot the top panel 17 is generally equal to twice the diameter of one of the cans C including its projection P. As a result, the upper portions of the side panels 1S snugly engage the upper projections P of the cans C to force the projections P towards each other with the spacers 5l) being clamped between the projections P, as is best shown in FIGURE 5 to prevent a projection P of one can from riding up over the projection P of an adjacent can in the next row. The outer portions o the projections P project outwardly through the openings dened by the slits 23 and 25 and are thus interlocked with theside panels 18.

Also, when the package is formed by wrapping the carrier 15 about the cans C, the lower portions of the cans C are squeezed together so that the lower projections P thereof clampingly engage opposite sides of the spacers 35. The outer portions of the lower projections P project into the openings dened by the slits 23 and 25 and are also interlocked with the side panels 1S. At the same time, the cans which overlie the tabs 3S hold the tabs 3S down, which tabs engage the tongues 29 and hold them down, as is desirable to` provide the necessary latch between the closure panel 19 and the closure panel 2li.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the carrier 15 is so proportioned and conligurated to form a very tight package when it is wrapped around the cans C. Furthermore, the cans C are so positioned Within the carrier 15 that they cannotvrnove out of alignment with respect to each other, and thus there is no shifting of the cans C which would result in a loose can package, as has been the case in manyl instances herebefore. Reference is now made to FlGURES 8 through 13, inclusive, kwherein a ksecond .form of carrier, generally referred to by the numeral 60 is illustrated. The carrier alegrias 63 is preferably formed or" paperboard and is of the wraparound type. The carrier 6d, in the form illustrated, is intended to hold six cans and to form a package therewith. The holder, however, may be made shorter or longer so as to accommodate more or less cans. Also, although the carrier 6@ is particularly designed for receiving cans, it may receive other types of containers which may be packaged in the same manner as cans.

The carrier 69 is formed from a blank which is best illustrated in FIGURE l1, the blank being generally referred to by the numeral 61. The blank 61 includes a top panel 62, a pair of side panels 63, an inner closure panel 6ft, and an outer closure panel 65. The side panels 63 are separated from the top panel 62 by transversely extending fold lines 66. 'llhe side panels 63 are separated from the closure panels 64, 65 by transversely extendingr fold lines 67. The fold lines 66 and 67 are interrupted by generally C-shaped cuts 63 which are formed in the side panels 63 and define tabs 69 which remain integrally connected to the top panel 62 and the closure panels 64, 65 and project outwardly of the side walls 63 when the carrier 67 is formed, as is best illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9. The tabs 69 are centered on the cans C disposed within the carrier 60. A slit 79 is formed in each of the side panels 63 in alignment with and intersecting the center of each of the C-shaped cuts 68. This permits the opening of the side panels 63 to snugly receive the cans C.

The closure panel 65' is provided with a plurality of latching flaps 71 which project from the free edge thereof and are hingedly connected to the closure panel 65 along fold lines 72. The number of latching flaps 71 corresponds to the number of cans C disposed in each row of cans. Each of the fold lines '72 is interrupted by a generally C-shaped cut which is formed in the closure panel 65 and defines a catch 73 integrally connected to the latching flap 71.

A latching tongue 74 projects from each of the latching flaps 71 remote from the closure panel 65. Each latching tongue 74 is hingedly connected to its associated latching ap 71 along a fold line 75, the fold line 75 being disposed in alignment. Each of the latching tongues 74 is also provided with a pair of slits 76 which project inwardly from opposite sides thereof in alignment with each other, the slits '76 being disposed adjacent to and parallel to their respective fold lines 75.

The closure panel 6d is provided with a fold line 77 which is disposed along the longitudinal center line of the carrier 66. This fold line 77 defines an extension 73 of the closure panel 6d.

The extension portion 78 is provided with a plurality of openings Si) for receiving the catches 73. The openings Si) are aligned with the catches 73 and have a configuration generally that of an inverted hat to facilitate the positioning of the catches therewithin.

A plurality of spacers Si are struck from the main portion of the closure panel 6d, and are hingedly connected to the closure panel 64 along the fold line 77. Each of the spacers 81 is of va generally Tashaped outline, and includes a stem portion 82 and a crossbar portion 83. The crossbar portion 83 has the upper edge thereof extending along the fold line 77 with the fold line being interrupted by a short cut line Sd in the center of each crossbar portion 33 to facilitate the hinging of the spacers 81.

The main portion of the closure panel 64 is provided with pairs of slits S7 which are disposed on opposite sides of the spacers S1. lt is to be noted that the slits 87 are in alignment with the lower edge of each crossbar portion 83 and are in the form of continuations of the line thereof. The slits 87 are provided for receiving the latching tongues 74, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 7. The slits 76 and the latching tongue 74 cooperate with the slits 87 to form a positive interlock between the latching tongues 74 and the closure panel 6d to prevent the accidental withdrawal of the latching tongues 74.

The top panel 64 has a pair of generally C-sh-aped cut lines 83 disposed generally at the third points thereof, the cut lines S8 being of a constant radius. The cut lines S8 terminate along fold lines 89 which extend transversely of the top panel 6?; and are disposed adjacent to each other. The cut lines 3d and the fold lines 89 define tabs liti which are hingedly connected to the top panel 62 along the fold lines 39. Each of the tabs 9@ overlies a space defined by four intersecting cans C within the carrier 6ft. The tabs 9th are pushed into these spaces when it is desired to utilize the carrier 6l? and function as linger holds for ones thumb and forefinger, for example.

Other spacers 91 are struck from the top panel` 62 in alignment with the cans C within the carrier 66x The spacers d1 are generally trapezoidal in outline and are connected Ito the top panel 62 along fold lines 92. When each spacer 91 is struck from the top panel 62, a relatively large opening 95 is formed in the top panel 62.

In the use of the carrier 66, six cans C are arranged in two rows of three cans each, with the cans being disposed in abutting relation. The cans C normally have projections P at the upper and lower end-s thereof, the projections P being defined by the seam between the can ends and the can body. The blank 61 is then placed over the tops of the cans C with the top panel 62 overlying the upper ends of the cans C. The blank 61 is then folded so that the side panels 63 extend down alongside the cans C, after which the inner closure panel 6d is first folded beneath the cans and then the closure panel 65 is folded beneath the cans. When the closure panel 64 is folded beneath the cans C, the spacers S1 thereof are projected between adjacent cans in the two rows of cans. When the closure panel 65 is folded into position, the catches 73 are lirst passed through the openings Sti, and then the latching tongues '74 are passed through the openings generally dened by the removal of the spacers 81 and Ithrough the slits 37. rThe formation of the package which includes the carrier 6i) and six cans C is now completed.

ln the completed package, the two rows of cans are generally separated from each other by the spacers 81 and 91, the spacers 81 projecting up between the lower por-tions of the cans C and the spacers 91 projecting down between the upper portions of the cans C. The projections P at the lower ends of the cans C are disposed in clamping engagement with opposite sides of the spacers 81 and form slight interlocks with the spacers 81. At the same time, the diametrically opposite portions of the upper projections P clamp against the opposite surfaces of the spacers 91 and form slight interlocks with the spacers 931. In addition to the foregoing slight interlocks, the upper and lower projections P extend through the openings defined by the formation of the tabs 69 and project outwardly of the side panels 63, with the outwardly exposed portions of the upper projections P underlying the upper tabs 69 and the lower projections P resting upon the lower tabs 69. Due to these interlocks, the cans C cannot accidentally move out through the open ends of the carrier 6l?, nor can they shift vertically with respect to each other so that the projections P thereof will overlap and thus result in .the forming of a loose package. It will be readily apparent that the package formed by the carrier 66 and the cans C remains tight at all times.

It is to be noted that the cans C, being aligned with the latching flaps 71, overlie the catches 73 `and the latching tongues 74. In this manner, accidental disengagement of the latching means for the closure panels 64 and 65 is prevented.

From `the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageous provision has been made for carrying out the desired end. However, attention is again directed to the fact that variations may be made in the example carriers disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as dened in the appended claims.

l claim: Y ll. A wrap-around paperboard carrier for holding tw rows `of articles such as cans and the like, said carrier having overlapping closure panels 'including an inner closure panel and an outer closure panel, said inner closure panel having a width in excess of one half of the width of said carrier, spacers struck from said inner `closure panel and being hingedly connected thereto along closure panel having a width in excess of one half ol the width of said carrier, spacers struck from said inner closure panel and being hingedly connected thereto along a longitudinal center line of said carrier for projection between articles in adjacent rows, said outer closure panel having a plurality of pairs of latching members projecting therefrom with each pair of latching members being aligned with one of said spacers and latching members of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of said longitudinal center line, and said inner closure panel having pairs of openings aligned with and disposed on opposite sides ot" said spacers, said openings receiving said latching members.

3. A wrap-around paperboard carrier for holding two rows of articles such yas cans and `the like, said carrier having yoverlapping closure panels including an inner closure panel and an outer closure panel, said inner closure panel having a width in excess of one half of the width of said carrier, spacers struck from said inner closure panel and being hingedly connected thereto along ya longitudinal center line 4of said carrier for projection between articles in adjacent rows, said outer closure panel having a plurality of latching tongues projecting therefrom, said inner closure panel having a plurality of slits receiving said latching tongues, said slits being aligned with and extending across areas of said inner closure panel from which said spacers are struck, each of said spacers being generally T-shaped `and including a stem and a crossba-r, said crossb'ar having an upper edge extending along -said longitudinal center line and a lower edge initi-ally aligned with a respective one of said slits.

4. The carrier of claim 2 wherein each pair of said latching members includes a catch and a tongue projecting in opposite directions and being disposed inwardly of said inner closure panel for engagement with articles disposed within said carrier.

5. A wrap-around paperboard carrier for holding 4two rows of articles such as cans and the like, said carrier having overlapping closure panels including an inner closure panel and an outer closure panel, said inner closure panel having a width in excess of one half of the width of said carrier, spacers struckfrom said inner closure panel and being hingedly connected thereto along 'a longitudinal center line of said carrier for projection be'- tween articles in adjacent rows, said outer closure panel having a plurality of pairs of latching members projecting therefrom with each pair of latching mem-bers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of said longitudinal center line, and said inner closure panel having pairsof openings alignedrwith and disposed on opposite sides of said spacers, said openings receivingY said latching members, each pair of said latching members including a catch and a `tongue projecting in opposite directions,

Cia

said inner closure panel openings receiving said tongues being in the form of slits, each yof said spacers being gcnerally T-shaped and including a stem yand a crossbar, said crossbar having an upper edge extending along sai-d longitudinal centerline and a lower edge initially aligned with a respective one of said slits.

6. A blank for -a container carrier of the wrap-around type, said blank being in the form of a generally rectanguiar sheet having `transverse `fold lines dividing .the same into a centrally located top panel defining portion, a pair of intermediate side panel denning portion-s, and terminal inner and outer closure panel denin-g port-ions, a plurality of latching tongues projecting frorna terminal edge of said outer closure panel deining portion, said latching tongues being generally aligned with respect to .the intended positions of containers within .the carrier, spacers `struck from said inner closure panel defining portion in alignment with said latching tabs for projection lbetween articles when disposed within the carrier in rows, said inner closure panel defining portion having slits for receiving said latching tongues, said slits being aligned with and extending across areas of said inner closure panel defining portion from which said spacers are struck, 'and other spacers struck from said top panel dening portion in alignment with the iirst mentioned spacers for projection in opposed relation to said lirst mentioned spacers `and between articles when disposed within the carrier.

'7. A blank for a container carrier of the wrap-around type, said blank being in the form of a generally rectangular sheet having transverse fold lines dividing the same into a centrally located top panel dening portion, a pair of intermediate side panel defining portions, and terminal inner and outer closure panel -deiining portions, a plurality of latching tongues projecting from a terminal edge of said outer closure panel deiining portion, said latching tongues being generally aligned with respect to the intended posi-tions of containers within the carrie-r, spacers therefrom, said slits being aligned and arranged in tion in alignment with said l'atching tabs for projection between articles when disposed within the carrierrin rows, and said inner closure panel dening portion having slits for receiving said latching tongues, said slits being aligned with and extending across areas of said inner closure panel defining por-tion from which said spacers are struck.

8. A wrap-around paperboard carrier for holding two r-ows of articles such as cans and the like, said carrier having overlapping closure panels including an inner closure panel and an outer closure panel, said inner closure panel having a width in excess of one half of the width of said carrier, spacers struck from said inner closure panel and being hingedly connected the-reto along a longitudinal center line of said carrier for projection between -articles in adjacent rows, said outer closure panel having a plurality of latching tongues projecting therefrom, and said inner closure panel having a plurality of slits receiving said latching tongues, said inner closu-re panel having lopenings therein resulting from the movement of said spacers therefrom, said slits being aligned and arranged in pairs extending from opposite sides of said openings, and said latching tongues extending through said openings and through said slits.

`9. The carrier of claim 2 wherein one opening of each pair of openings is as a result of the movement of the `associated spacer from the plane of said inner cl-osure panel.

l0. A wrap-around paperboard carrier hold-ing Vtwo rows of articles such as cans and the like, said carrier having overlapping closure panels including an inner closure panel, an outer closure panel, and a top panel opposed to and spaced fromv said overlapping closure panels, said top panel including a plurality of pairs of struck spacers the spacers of each pair of spacers being Vdisposed at opposite sides of a longitudinal center line of said carrier, a spacer of each pair of spacers extending in parallel relationship to the other spacer of each pair toward said overlapping closure panels, said pairs of spacers being substantially parallel to a plane through said longitudinal center line ywhereby said pair of spacers project between articles disposed in said carrier at opposite sides of said longitudinal centerline to engage upper surfaces of radial projections or" articles in the carrier.

il. The carrier of claim ttl wherein :portions of said plurality of pairs of spacers adjacent said top panel arc deformable toward said centerline thereby providing interlocking engagement with radial projections on upper ends of articles in `the carrier.

12. A wraparound paperboard carrier [holding two rows of articles such as cans and the like, said carrier having overlapping closure panels including an inner closure panel, an outer closure panel, and a top panel opposed to and spaced from said overlapping closure panels, said top panel including a plurality of pairs of struck spacers disposed at opposite sides of a longitudinal center line of said carrier, a spacer of each pair of spacers extending in parallel relationship to the other spacer of each pair toward said overlapping closure panels, a spacer of each pair of spacers including a portion adjacent the top panel directed toward said longitudinal centerline, and a second portion coplanar to a plane through said longitudinal centerline whereby said pairs of spacers project between articles disposed in said carrier at opposite sides of said longitudinal centerline and provide interlocking engagement between upper surfaces of radial projections of articles in the carrier and the portions of each spacer adjacent the top panel of the carrier.

13. A Wrap-around paperboard carrier for holding Itwo rows of articles such as cans and the like, said carrier having overlapping closure panels including an inner closure panel and an outer closure panel, said carrier including a top panel disposed above said overlapping lclosure panels, said inner closure panel having a width in excess of one half of the width of said carrier, spacers struck from said inner closure panel and being hingedly connected thereto along a longitudinal center line of said carrier for projection between articles in adjacent rows, said outer closure panel having a plurality of latching tongues projecting therefrom, and said inner closure panel having a plurality of slits receiving said latching tongues, said slits being aligned with and extending across areas of said inner closure panel from which said spacers are struck and a plurality olf pairs of spacers struck from said top panel, each spacer of each pair of space-rs being disposed along said longitudinal center line at opposite sides thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNiTED STATES PATENTS 2,863,598 12/58- Currie 206--65 2,867,320 1/591 Andre 206-65 2,931,492 -4/ 60 Osterberg 206-65 2,950,854 8/60 Ganz 206-65 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE I. DRUMMOND, FRANK-UN T. GARRETT,

Examiners. 

1. A WRAP-AROUND PAPERBOARD CARRIER FOR HOLDING TWO ROWS OF ARTICLES SUCH AS CANS AND THE LIKE, SAID CARRIER HAVING OVERLAPPING CLOSUREE PANELS INCLUDING AN INNER CLOSURE PANEL AND AN OUTER CLOSURE PANEL, SAID INNER CLOSURE PANEL HAVING A WIDTH IN EXCESS OF ONE HALF OF THE WIDTH OF SAID CARRIER, SPACERS STRUCK FROM SAID INNER CLOSURE PANEL AND BEING HINGEDLY CONNECTED THERETO ALONG A LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE OF SAID CARRIER FOR PROJECTION BETWEEN ARTICLES IN ADJACENT ROWS, SAID OUTER CLOSURE PANEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF LATCHING TONGUES PROJECTING THEREFROM, AND SAID INNER CLOSURE PANEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF SLITS RECEIKVING SAID LATCHING TONGUES, SAID SLITS BEING ALIGNED WITH AND EXTENDING ACROSS AREAS OF SAID INNER CLOSURE PANEL FROM WHICH SAID SPACERS ARE STRUCK. 